276 ZOOLOGY. 



animal kingdom. A fact, however, which came under 

 my notice during a voyage from India, in the year 

 1832, led me to believe that there is some just founda- 

 tion for this popular opinion. While we were becalmed 

 in the Atlantic Ocean, a shark was seen close to the 

 ship, and attended by two Pilot-fish, which generally 

 swam one above and the other below him, and occa- 

 sionally went off to some distance, as if to explore the 

 surrounding sea ; although it was seldom long before 

 they returned, and resumed their former positions the 

 shark, in the meantime, by its unwieldy form, slow 

 movements, and lethargic aspect, offering a strong 

 contrast to the sprightliness and activity of his scouts. 

 A baited hook was lowered from the bow of the ship ; 

 but the shark, when alone, passed it several times 

 without notice, and apparently without seeing it. One 

 of the foraging Pilot-fish then approached the bait, and 

 immediately swam off to where the Shark was headed 

 in a contrary direction; when the monster instantly 

 turned, and followed his informant, which now swam 

 ahead of him, in a direct line towards the suspended 

 bait. He did not then hesitate a moment, but seized 

 it, and was captured. While the Shark was being 

 hauled on board, the Pilot-fish expressed the greatest 

 concern, almost leaping out of the water in their en- 

 deavours to follow him, and swimming near the surface 

 with every demonstration of anxiety. These faithful 

 little fish were observed to attach themselves to the 

 ship, but attracted little attention until some weeks 

 afterwards, when we spoke the Thomas Grenville, 

 East-Indiaman, and lowered a boat to communicate with 

 her. One of the fish was then seen to accompany the 

 boat to and from the stranger-ship ; and so devotedly 

 did it attend upon what it might have believed to be its 



